PS2 "The next big thing[?]" for PS1&PS2-Hacking? A small dive into a bright future via the MC-port!

The future of PS1&PS2-Hacking has JUST begun!​

MemoryCard-port-"things" for PS1&PS2 are going to have a big influence in the future!
MX4SIO as a simple adapter has already shown what is possible and can be replicated via simple tools.

The next big thing will be more complex hardware, emulating PS1&PS2-Memorycards as well as other devices!

One of these is now available and is COMPLETELY open source Hardware and Software.

asm2.jpg​
Intro SD2PSX Gallery similar projects
  • This is a brief introduction into and (a) summary of SD2PSX!

    ----------------------------------
    SD2PSX by xyz
    • It is a fully Open Source Hardware and Software-Project.
    • OLED-Display
    • USB-Port for debugging, flashing a firmware, etc.
    • 2 Buttons
    • It is usually a 3D-Printed case, but a molded case is possible as well.
    • Compatible with PS1&PS2 Hardware and Software (currently only either one, depending on the selected "mode")
    • FMCB (PS2) works, OpenTuna (PS2) and FreePSXBoot (PS1) works!
    • MX4SIO-compatibility (or a custom mode for OPL BDM) might be possible.
    • Cost efficient (below 20$/€!!!)!

    The Hardware can already be produced!
    Keep in mind that it is a first test-revision!
  • Project: https://github.com/sd2psx
    PCB: https://github.com/sd2psx/pcb
    Case: https://github.com/sd2psx/case
    Firmware: https://github.com/sd2psx/firmware

    The firmware is not yet in a usable state!
    It is released in its current state for developers.

    Video of the menu-selector of the MC: https://twitter.com/i/status/1577484500027965445
    Video of FMCB booting from it: https://streamable.com/uf tp1t
  • SD2PSX
    asm1.jpg

    111166933.png

    pcb.png

    pcb3d.png

    pcb3dback.png

    slim.jpg
  • There are similar projects in the works or even already available:

    • "MemCardPro" by 8BitMods - available - commercial and closed
    • "MemCardPro2" by 8BitMods - not yet available - commercial and closed
    • "PicoMemCard" by dangui - available - open source
    • "MemoryCardMax" by Darren Anderson & Helder Gametech - not yet available - open source when it gets released
    • "Project Name?" by Balika - status unknown

    Technically all of them should be capable of similar things.

    Since most of them are based on the rp2040, chances are high that multiple of them "merge" into one big open source project!

IMO, this is the start into the next big phase/stage of Hacking the PS1 and the PS2 via available and cheap but useful components as well as already available software!

Ideas and inputs are welcome!
Follow the discussion or contribute to it if you are interested in it!

Stay tuned for more and share this news as far as possible!​
 
Last edited:
Click to expand...
M
TnA said:
The future of PS1&PS2-Hacking has JUST begun!​

MemoryCard-port-"things" for PS1&PS2 are going to have a big influence in the future!
MX4SIO as a simple adapter has already shown what is possible and can be replicated via simple tools.

The next big thing will be more complex hardware, emulating PS1&PS2-Memorycards as well as other devices!

One of these is now available and is COMPLETELY open source Hardware and Software.

View attachment 38683​
Intro SD2PSX Gallery similar projects
  • This is a brief introduction into and (a) summary of SD2PSX!

    ----------------------------------
    SD2PSX by xyz
    • It is a fully Open Source Hardware and Software-Project.
    • OLED-Display
    • USB-Port for debugging, flashing a firmware, etc.
    • 2 Buttons
    • It is usually a 3D-Printed case, but a molded case is possible as well.
    • Compatible with PS1&PS2 Hardware and Software (currently only either one, depending on the Firmware)
    • FMCB (PS2) works, OpenTuna (PS2) and FreePSXBoot (PS1) works!
    • MX4SIO-compatibility (or a custom mode for OPL BDM) might be possible.
    • Cost efficient (below 20$/€!!!)!

    The Hardware can already be produced!
    Keep in mind that it is a first test-revision!
  • Project: https://github.com/sd2psx
    PCB: https://github.com/sd2psx/pcb
    Case: https://github.com/sd2psx/case
    Firmware: https://github.com/sd2psx/firmware

    The firmware is not yet in a usable state!
    It is released in its current state for developers.

    Video of the menu-selector of the MC: https://twitter.com/i/status/1577484500027965445
    Video of FMCB booting from it: https://streamable.com/uf tp1t
  • SD2PSX
    View attachment 38682

    View attachment 38681

    View attachment 38684

    View attachment 38685

    View attachment 38686

    View attachment 38687
  • There are similar projects in the works or even already available:

    • "MemCardPro" by 8BitMods - available - commercial and closed
    • "MemCardPro2" by 8BitMods - not yet available - commercial and closed
    • "PicoMemCard" by dangui - available - open source
    • "MemoryCardMax" by Darren Anderson & Helder Gametech - not yet available - open source when it gets released
    • "Project Name?" by Balika - status unknown

    Technically all of them should be capable of similar things.

    Since most of them are based on the rp2040, chances are high that multiple of them "merge" into one big open source project!

IMO, this is the start into the next big phase/stage of Hacking the PS1 and the PS2 via available and cheap but useful components as well as already available software!

Ideas and inputs are welcome!
Follow the discussion or contribute to it if you are interested in it!

Stay tuned for more and share this news as far as possible!​
Click to expand...

would a custom OPL BDM protocol have the same speed limit as MX4SIO?
 
R
I can't understand - is it just a homemade memory card or a "2 in 1" device (memory card + SD with the ability to store iso's on it and run them from it)?
 
Berion
@r1vver It is device which emulating PSX and PS2 memory cards, plus MX4SIO. Not all at once of course, so You must choose mode in which it works (it is impossible to use all three or two at once because of differences in logic structure).

In example You putting memory card image on SDHC card, insert it into SD2PSX and console, games and homebrew will see it as original Memory Card. Which means You can use it:
  • in case of PSX, for FreePSXBoot or TonyHax
  • in case of PS2, for Free McBoot or XEB+ and/or OpenTuna or FunTuna
  • in case of PS2, for MX4SIO
  • in all cases as storage for game saves
 
Last edited:
Naxil
Berion said:
@r1vver It is device which emulating PSX and PS2 memory cards, plus MX4SIO. Not all at once of course, so You must choose mode in which it works (it is impossible to use all three or two at once because of differences in logic structure).

In example You putting memory card image on SDHC card, insert it into SD2PSX and console, games and homebrew will see it as original Memory Card. Which means You can use it:
  • in case of PSX, for FreePSXBoot or TonyHax
  • in case of PS2, for Free McBoot or XEB+ and/or OpenTuna or FunTuna
  • in case of PS2, for MX4SIO
  • in all cases as storage for game saves
Click to expand...
in case of ps2 is better use usb 1.0 for load backup?
 
R
Naxil said:
in case of ps2 is better use usb 1.0 for load backup?
Click to expand...
As far as I understand:
USB is the worst media (way) to run backups, PS2 USB port read speed is too low for comfortable use. FMV will definitely stuttering / lag a lot.
MX4SIO is much better, pretty playable. And since this is the most fresh & trendy media for today, a lot of work is being done to improve it.
Then goes SMB (even faster) and finally HDD for "fat" models (the fastest).
 
Naxil
SMB stay for? the memcard port? slim console have on board the connection for hdd or is all cutted in this model? ode exist? what happen if I put a backup with game data via USB and I put the fmv of the same game under cd/dvd? obviously 1disc with 10 fmv games or u put all the game on the disc.
ps=in the era of twilight cd/DVD for pc some cracked pc games for save space, cracker compress wav in mp3 or delete the fmv or compress it. what happen if we delete fmv, replace it with static image or compress it for prevent stuttering? or rendering it with lowest bandwith? the idea for read game data from usb 1.0 and video from mastered dvd/cd is possible?
 
Last edited:
R
This conversation will not be for this topic, but:
Naxil said:
SMB stay for?
Click to expand...
SMB is short for Samba server. PS2 is connected to the SMB server via network (RJ45) cable.
The server can be personal computer or raspberry pi or (most popular) router with USB port.
The USB port of the router is much faster than the built-in USB port of the PS2.
So USB disk with backups is connected to the USB port of the router and it's content is shared by Samba server to PS2 over network cable.
Naxil said:
the memcard port?
Click to expand...
For memcard port you'll need MX4SIO device.
Naxil said:
slim console have on board the connection for hdd or is all cutted in this model?
Click to expand...
As i remember It's possible to add HDD port on a early model slims (SCPH-700XX). It's soldering hell. You'll need to solder the IDE cable wires to a lot of very small pins on the motherboard. On later models, these pins are no longer exist.
And there was also special HD-Pro kit for the SCPH-9000X models (or it was 7500x-9000x, i do not remember). It used ModBo4 mod-chip clone with a custom firmware to "replace" IDE controller removed by Sony. It was slow (as USB 1.1). Also soldering.
Search this forum, there are a couple of threads about it.
Naxil said:
the idea for read game data from usb 1.0 and video from mastered dvd/cd is possible?
Click to expand...
Somehow this is overcomplicated. I don't even know if anyone has tried this. It may not be even possible, but i'm not sure.
 
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Simba_Meow
i am simba_meow from ps2 scene, so i think the sd2psx can emulate the memorycard for saving because of the RP2040 chip
 
T
A small list of feature-ideas:

Firmware-ideas:
-double-tap-action as a second action per button
-"About/Info-Screen", showing FW-Version and currently emulated device (if it doesn't exist yet)
-PS1&PS2-Mode auto-detection if possible
-MX4SIO-Bridge
-meanwhile "passthrough-mode", so that people can already use SD2PSX as a "simple MX4SIO".
-selecting the "letter" (name of the VMC) via double-tap
-OPL Folder structure to prepare for a custom Protocoll/MX4SIO-Bridge as well as showing the game-name on the OLED easily
-PocketStation-Emulation
-MultiTap-Emulation (is that what the "channels" are??)
-Atrac3-Player-Emulation at one point in time (HDD-OSD, PS.BBN, has some special support for it)
-capability of using a System-Update-Exploit right on boot (internal Memory)
-Support to directly read/write a save to and from the SD, instead of from/into MemoryCard-Images.
a. direct saves as folders and their files
b. PSUs to keep Metadata when required
-etc.
 
Joat.None
TnA said:
A small list of feature-ideas:

Firmware-ideas:
-double-tap-action as a second action per button
-"About/Info-Screen", showing FW-Version and currently emulated device (if it doesn't exist yet)
-PS1&PS2-Mode auto-detection if possible
-MX4SIO-Bridge
-meanwhile "passthrough-mode", so that people can already use SD2PSX as a "simple MX4SIO".
-selecting the "letter" (name of the VMC) via double-tap
-OPL Folder structure to prepare for a custom Protocoll/MX4SIO-Bridge as well as showing the game-name on the OLED easily
-PocketStation-Emulation
-MultiTap-Emulation (is that what the "channels" are??)
-Atrac3-Player-Emulation at one point in time (HDD-OSD, PS.BBN, has some special support for it)
-capability of using a System-Update-Exploit right on boot (internal Memory)
-Support to directly read/write a save to and from the SD, instead of from/into MemoryCard-Images.
a. direct saves as folders and their files
b. PSUs to keep Metadata when required
-etc.
Click to expand...
What do you mean by multitap emulation? It should work as 4 memory cards at once?
 
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